Residents decry data center proposal, call for moratorium at City Council
Evanston residents, the Mayor, and the Environment Board are strongly opposing a proposed data center by Lark Management. City staff determined the project is not permissible under current zoning rules, and a de facto moratorium is in place, with calls for a formal moratorium. Residents cite environmental and economic concerns.
Evanston residents, City Council members, and Mayor Daniel Biss have expressed strong opposition to a proposed data center by local property management firm Lark Management. The company submitted a zoning application on September 16 for a "computer processing center" in the 2nd Ward, near Evanston Township High School, claiming it would be a "permitted continuation of industrial use" within an existing 19,660-square-foot building.
However, city staff determined the project is not permissible under current zoning rules, requiring a text amendment to the city code. City Manager Luke Stowe noted this effectively creates a "de facto moratorium" on such uses for now. Mayor Biss has openly called for a data center moratorium, and the city's Environment Board sent a letter to councilmembers requesting a moratorium until local environmental safeguards are established. Residents, including Michael Courier, Paula Scholl, and Melinda Storie, voiced concerns during a City Council meeting about the potential environmental and economic consequences, urging councilmembers to consider their opinions.